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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-20 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts ! V E D TMtlfi CLERK Regular Meeting of the School Committe f , _ r ; D k G , t r r ~ ~ , Open Session t~ P 1: 30 Date: January 20, 2009 Time: 7:30 p.m. (Open Session) Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Lisa Gibbs David Michaud Karen Janowski Chuck Robinson Elaine Webb Visitors: Melissa Russell, Reading Chronicle RPS Budget Parents Cathy Giles, Killam Principal Karen Callan, Barrows Principal Craig Martin, Coolidge Principal Eric Sprung, Birch Meadow Principal Joe Finigan, RMHS Principal Joe Huggins, Director of Facilities 1. Call to Order Staff Members Present Patrick A. Schettini, Jr.-Superintendent of Schools John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Human Resource and Finances Colleen Dolan, Director of Pupil Services Jesse Downing, Student Representative Chairperson Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. He welcomed the guests that attended the meeting. He also reviewed the agenda. Public Hearing - FY10 Budget Public Hearing was opened at 7:31 p.m. There were no public statements. Public hearing was closed at 7:33 p.m. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) B. Reports 1. Student 2. Liaison Mrs. Webb shared that she and several committee members attended the Coolidge Middle School production of the Secret Garden. It was an excellent production enhanced by the fact that it was held in the Performing Arts Center at RMHS. Ms. Janowski attended the Martin Luther King event at RMHS. There was great turnout and it was a fabulous community event. January 20, 2009 3. Superintendent's Report Superintendent Schettini also attended the MLK event. It was a significant learning experience consistent with the Project Challenge/Rachel's Challenge initiative. 4. Sub-Committee C. Continued Business FY 10 Budget Superintendent Schettini presented the Special Education, Undistributed and Maintenance Cost centers of the FYI 0 Budget. He stated that we must stay focused on the district mission and vision and we may be slowed but not stopped on our path towards excellence. He reviewed how the budget was developed using the directive received at the November Financial Forum to develop a level funded budget and pointed out that the budget is also policy driven. He turned the meeting over to Colleen Dolan, Director of Pupil Services who gave an overview of the Special Education programs. The goal of the Special Education Department is to provide quality services for low costs. Ms. Dolan reviewed the reductions in her budget and shared concerns over the continued escalation of private school tuitions and decreases in the Circuit Breaker reimbursement. She said she was working with state officials on these concerns. Ms. Dolan has reorganized the Special Education department using a team chair concept that has been a very successful. She has been able to bring several students back into the district resulting in substantial savings. Ms. Dolan felt that reductions in the professional development cost center will have an impact on the district. She hopes to be able to use the in-district resources, tapping the staff to teach professional development sessions. Ms. Dolan is also utilizing collaboration - with surrounding districts to share the cost of professional development activities and will continue to use grant monies the district has procured for Professional Development. She discussed the programs we have in our district and that the department is looking to establish more inclusive programs in-district for children that require that kind of setting. Her goal is to keep Reading students in Reading and feels that we offer very competitive programs. We have also been able to tuition in students into 3 of our programs from other districts. Ms. Dolan expects all of these students to return next year and has referrals for more. Ms. Dolan went on to express her concerns regarding the Circuit Breaker reimbursement. There is still question whether we will receive our 4"' quarter payment for this year. We will not know until the next round of 9C cuts from the state. Superintendent Schettini stated that we will have a better idea of future state cuts after this weeks meeting of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and Massachusetts Municipal Association. Ms. Dolan discussed other funding sources including grants, a Community Partnership Collaborative and donations from area organizations. These resources are used to fund professional and support positions, professional development, instructional supplies and technology. There was discussion regarding the reduction of paraeducators. Ms. Dolan stated that there may be positions lost and she is looking at ways to best use the paraeducators in our classrooms. No determination has been made on how the reductions will be made. January 20, 2009 Ms. Dolan thanked the principals for embracing these programs and contributing to the overall success. She also thanked the parents in our district for being open minded and trusting the decisions of the Team in the placement of the children. Superintendent Schettini continued with the Other (Medical, Athletics, Extracurricular, Technology) budget. There was discussion regarding the increase of user fees. This would be the first increase in five years and he did not foresee a significant impact on the numbers of participants in our athletic programs. He indicated that Mr. Vaccaro works with families that are unable to pay part or all of the fees. The committee requested information on how many students have requested payment plans. Superintendent Schettini said he would gather the information. Ms. Mary DeLai continued with discussion on the School and Town Building Maintenance budgets. She thanked Mr. Joe Huggins, Director of Facilities for his hard work and assistance in developing this budget with the district vision in mind. As in all sections of the budget, the facilities budget will suffer some significant reductions including staff, overtime and building repairs. She indicated to deal with the reduction in staff she is looking at assigning a "lead" to the maintenance staff as well as relying on the ESPC measures to reduce building repairs and improve our Energy Management System. She also pointed out that we would do only the necessary preventative maintenance. We will use more of our in-house staff to perform previously contracted out services. It is the hope that the energy conservation measure instituted by the Energy Services Contractor will help reduce our consumption of gas and electricity. D. New Business IV E. Routine Matters 1. Bills and Payroll (A) 2. Approval of Minutes 3. Bids and Donations 4. Calendar F. Information III. Adjournment On a motion by Mrs Gibbs, seconded by Mr. Michaud, the School Committee voted to adjourn. The vote was 5-0. Patrick A. Schettini, Jr., J.D. Superintendent of Schools Future Business